The People of the Book

Q 3: There is a Hadith which reported that a man came to the Messenger (peace be upon him) and said, "There are People of the Book in the land, could we eat from their pots?" The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Eat from them as Allah (Exalted be He) says: The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you Who are the People of the Book?

A 3: First, the Hadith reads as follows: Jabir ibn `Abdullah narrated: We used to go out for battles with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). We used to take the vessels and beverages of the polytheists (as booties) and use them, but he did not object to them (i.e. us) for doing that (action). Reported by Ahmad and Abu Dawud. Abu Tha`labah reported: I said: O Allah’s Messenger! We are living in a land belonging to the People of the Book; can we can eat from their utensils? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If you can get utensils other than theirs, do not eat out of theirs, but if you cannot get other than theirs, wash their utensils and eat from them. Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. Second, the People of the Book are the Jews and the Christians. Their slaughtered animals are Halal (lawful) for us, unless they pronounce (at the time of the slaughtering of the animal) a name other than Allah's. Allah (Exalted be He) says: The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you (Part No. 22; Page No. 349) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions.